Red leaves, crisp autumn air and still a chance of warming rays of sunshine: Mother Nature continues to unfold her charms in mid-October. But with all the colourful opportunities outdoors, you shouldn't lose sight of Berlin's museums and theatres. This autumn comes with numerous highlights: The berlin modern invites you to its first visitor days, the Bode Museum turns 121 and at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, William Kentridge enchants the audience on a fictional sea voyage with depth.
Tip 1: Get a first glimpse of the new berlin modern at the Kulturforum
The ground-breaking ceremony for the new berlin modern museum building at the Kulturforum took place just six years ago. Completion of the new museum for 20th century art is scheduled for 2028. A tight schedule, which fortunately for us allows for a first preview. On Saturday and Sunday, the Kulturforum is organising the open tour berlin modern - Days of the Open Building Site. The thirty-minute performance Mirror Piece by American artist Joan Jonas will be followed by a tour of the construction site, where you can get your first insights into the future exhibition spaces and the museum concept. A tip from the organisers: Bring sturdy shoes - and don't be afraid of heights. Please note that tickets must be booked online in advance, there is no box office.
When: Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm / performance on both days from 12 pm to 2 pm
Where: Kulturforum, entrance Scharouplatz / corner Potsdamer Straße, Tiergarten
Tip 2: Stroll through the autumn market at Domäne Dahlem
This year's autumn market will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the historic Domäne Dahlem estate. More than fifty market stalls will present you with precious self-made treasures in the (hopefully!) bright autumn sunshine. You can buy textiles, jewellery and ceramics at fair prices and even look over the artisans' shoulders as they work. Thanks to the history-conscious concept of the estate, the autumn market also promotes the passing on of traditional craftsmanship. As a result, young and old alike can discover their own handicraft talents at numerous hands-on activities, demonstrations and workshops . Look forward to an extended autumn stroll with culinary delights, art and skills.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Domäne Dahlem, Königin-Luise-Straße 49, Dahlem
Experience the greatest love story of all time like never before „Romeo & Juliet - “ – The Musical in Berlin! Featuring the powerful music of Rosenstolz. Passion, drama, and a love that conquers all – live on stage!
Tip 3: Embark on a fictional sea voyage with The Great Yes, The Great No
A ship glides through the darkness, masks whisper stories, voices mingle to create operatic soundscapes. With The Great Yes, The Great No, the famous South African artist William Kentridge presents an interdisciplinary Gesamtkunstwerk at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele. A theatre piece, oratorio and chamber opera in one, it tells you a highly symbolic story in eight different languages: Inspired by a real ship passage between Marseille and Martinique in 1941, personalities such as Frida Kahlo, Frantz Fanon and André Breton embark on this fictional journey. They are accompanied by Charon, the ferryman of the underworld. You can expect a performance that brings together cultures, countries and eras in hours of great art.
When: Friday and Saturday at 19:30
Where: Haus der Berliner Festspiele - Large Stage, Schaperstraße 24, Wilmersdorf
Tip 4: Celebrate the 100th birthday of the Britz Horseshoe Estate
Housing shortages in big cities like Berlin have not just become a problem today. As early as the 1920s, unemployment and large numbers of refugees led to a growing need for housing. The Britz response to this social challenge was given the name Hufeisensiedlung. Bruno Taut's architectural masterpiece has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Berlin Modernist housing estate since 2008. This weekend, its 100th anniversary will be celebrated as part of the Triennial of Modernism. Exhibitions, film screenings, tours and book presentations will give you two days to explore Neukölln's most socially conscious ensemble of monuments. The estate is an extraordinary and lively piece of Berlin's architectural history.
When: Friday from 6 pm, Saturday from 11 am
Where: Schloss & Gutshof Britz, Alt-Britz 88 and Hufeisensiedlung Britz on Fritz Reuter-Allee
Tip 5: Visit the family festival to celebrate the Bode Museum's 121st birthday
Another Berlin landmark is celebrating its birthday this weekend: the Bode Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time on 18 October 1904. For 121 years, the magnificent historical building has been enthroned at the top of Museum Island. Today it houses the sculpture collection, the Museum of Byzantine Art and the Coin Cabinet and has become an integral part of the cityscape. This weekend, the birthday will be celebrated with an extensive hands-on programme for children. From 10 a.m., you can take part in guided tours, attend workshops on printing and sculpture in the children's gallery and go in search of clues.
When: Saturday from 10am
Where: Bode-Museum, Am Kupfergraben 1, Mitte
Tip 6: Dedicate yourself to the topic of family in the Humboldt Forum
The interplay between family and culture also plays an important role in our next tip: the new exhibition Beziehungsweise Familie at the Humboldt Forum is about more than just the classic nuclear family of "father, mother, child". It takes visitors through all the rooms and collections of the Forum and offers an extensive supporting programme. Various family concepts and their underlying role models, biographies, care work patterns and world views are scrutinised. Guided tours, hands-on rallies and educational theatre workshops will make this multi-layered topic tangible for everyone!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 to 18:30
Where: Humboldt Forum, Schloßplatz 1, Mitte and Museum Knoblauchhaus, Poststraße 23, Mitte
Tip 7: View contemporary art at the MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam
The MINSK Kunsthaus building in Potsdam was built in the 1970s as a stylish terrace restaurant. Today, the Cafébar Hedwig still serves tasty treats, but the focus is entirely on contemporary art from the former GDR. Dan Perjovschi, Ruth Wolf-Rehfeldt and Wolfgang Mattheuer are among the regulars in the permanent exhibition. Until the beginning of January, the MINSK is also home to works from the Hasso Plattner Collection, including the extensive retrospective of the American artist Noah Davis. A single ticket gives you access to all the artworks at the MINSK - and therefore a good reason for a weekend trip to Potsdam, which also fits perfectly into the month of reunification!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm
Where: DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam, Max-Planck-Straße 17, Potsdam
Tip 8: Master the latest courses in the Spy Museum
This weekend, you can slip into the role of a secret agent at the German Spy Museum and learn all about Mata Hari, James Bond and co. Here you can marvel at a true-to-original Enigma and crack secret codes. The ultimate challenge of a career in espionage also awaits you: the infamous laser course. With three different levels of difficulty, the whole family can put their skills to the test. Your time is saved. Can you beat the high score? If you want, you can be filmed as an action hero after the mission using an infrared camera. The course is included in the entrance fee and offers the perfect thrill (not only) at the weekend!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm
Where: German Spy Museum Berlin, Leipziger Platz 9, Mitte
Tip 9: Crown eight poetry slammers with the European crown
On Saturday evening, the Admiralspalast stage will become the centre of the international spoken word scene. The finalists were chosen at the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday. The eight best slam poets on the continent will now meet in the final of the European Poetry Slam Championship 2025 and compete for victory with their wordplay. So that you can easily understand the contributions from Spain, Finland and Poland, each individual performance will be subtitled live. This is essential on this evening, as it is the only way you can fulfil your duties as a judge: On this evening, the audience will decide who wins via digital voting. You can expect a competitive spirit and beautiful language that transcends national borders!
When: Saturday at 8 pm
Where: Admiralspalast, Friedrichstraße 101, Berlin
Tip 10: Listen to Marzahn stories Between pages & pages of books
Just in time for autumn, Marzahn has come up with a particularly cosy series of events: the reading festival Zwischen Blättern & Buchseiten. In order to do justice to the special magic of the written word, this literary voyage of discovery is organised in various special locations. You might find yourself in an old windmill, between castle walls or in a cosy adobe house. This Friday, Danish artist Asger Hunov will be presenting his photo book We Marzahners - a photographic declaration of love. In his work, he has collected over fifty portraits of residents of the neighbourhood that tell their very own stories. The evening will be rounded off with a quiz and music by Wolfgang Reuter.
When: Friday at 6 pm
Where: Tourist-Info Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Hellersdorfer Straße 159, Marzahn-Hellersdorf
between pages & pages of books
Tip 11: Stroll through the food market in Neukölln's Kalle Halle
Our next and final tip is perfect for hungry Neukölln locals and all gourmets: Kalle Halle in Karl-Marx-Straße has given the former Quelle department stores' from the 1970s a new lease of life - and, above all, new dishes and flavours. The Food Market in the Kalle Halle has been open since the beginning of October and brings together a whole culinary world tour under one roof. From hand-pulled ramen and Korean classics to Sardinian tapas, Asian street food gems and elegant burger creations, just about everything is available here. The bars offer creative cocktails, craft beers and relaxed DJ sets in the evening. The perfect place for brunch, lunch, dinner or a small snack in between!
When: Friday and Saturday from 12 to 10 pm
Where: Kalle Halle, Karl-Marx-Straße 101, Neukölln
Here you'll find even more great tips for activities & things to do in Berlin - whatever the weather.
